Portable wood converting machine



PORTABLE WOOD CONVERTING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 VEN OR.

' BY 67'0V637 [122 261 ee. 4a4h%/k wrmd ATTORNEY.

y 1939- G. c. WETHERBEE PORTA BLE WOOD CONVERTING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6770/62 2- 6 Wm M ATTORNEY.

July 18, 1939. e. c. WETHERB-EE PORTABLE WOOD CONVERTING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR.

enb a- Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE WOOD CONVERTING MACHINE Grover C. Wetherbee, Saginaw, Mich.

Application April 22, 1936, Serial No. 75,755 5 Claims. (01. 142-17) One of the prime objects of the invention is to provide a wood converting machine of the class described which is easily portable from one location to another, which is very economical to build and operate, and by means of which wood can be converted more economically than at present.

A further object is to provide a convertible and telescopic pent-house structure which can be readily adjusted to accommodate the machinery when set up, and which can be collapsed to provide proper road clearance when the machine is being transported from one location to another.

Another object is to provide simple, practical, and economical means by means of which the wood converting machine can be leveled and supported in such leveled position.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable saw mechanism which can be adjusted to permit the roof and penthouse to be swung down, so

that the exterior of the super-structure, when collapsed, will be of such size as to bring it within the proper clearances and dimensions as set up by the State highway departments, so that it may be moved from place to place over the highways.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportion, and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of my improved wood converting machine, parts being brokenaway to show the interior, the solid lines showing the penthouse in open raised position, the broken lines showing the penthouse roof collapsed and band saw unit swung down to position to permit the machine to be transported.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the frame members, shafting, etc., the floor being indicated in broken lines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged part sectional side elevational view of one of the corner jacks.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail-edge view of the sawing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational View of the control for the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the crosshead and bearing adjusting mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a transverse section through the building with the machinery omitted to illustrate the hinged wing roof sections, the broken lines showing these wings swung down.

Fig. 8 is a front detail view of the saw husk unit adjusting mechanism.

At present a large percentage of the available timber is in the individual farmer or owners relatively small wood lots. As it ripens it is economical that it be cut into merchantable timher, and as these lots are relatively small, it is not economical to build a large stationary plant, nor is it economical to attempt to transport the logs from each individual timber lot to the machine, further the size of the individual holdings does not warrant the owner investing in a ma- 1 chine for harvesting his own timber only, and I have therefore, perfected a verysimple, practical and economical, portable machine, which can be easily and readily moved from one location to another, which can be powered and driven by a farm tractor or battery of tractors, and by means of which the timber can be converted into merchantable lumber and/or timbers of the desired size.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral Ill indicates a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally disposed frame members on which the transversely disposed frame members II are mounted. Carriage tracks l2 are mounted on and secured to the front end of the frame members II), on which a conventional log carriage I3 is mounted to travel; angularly disposed braces l4 are secured to the ends of the carriage track and to the members II) to reinforce and brace the frame and track, and a floor, indicated by the broken lines l5, serves to cover the rear portion of the frame as usual.

Demountable wheels (not shown) are provided to facilitate the transfer of the machine from one location to another, and when the machine is set on location, it is supported and leveled by means of jack members B, (see Fig. 3 of the drawings) one of the jack members assemblies B being placed beneath each corner of the machine, each assembly comprising a preferably cast nut member l6 provided with a flange H, which is adapted to be secured to a bearing block l8, by means of bolts or the like (not shown). A centrally disposed, threaded opening I9 is provided in this nut member [6, and a threaded post member 20 is mounted therein.

The lower end of the nut i6 is counterbored, as shown, and a tubular sleeve 2| has threaded engagement therewith and serves as a 'housingfor the lower end of the threaded post 20, a nut 22 being mounted on this post directly above the member l6 and is adapted to be manipulated to raise or lower the post, said nut being locked in set position by means of a pin 23, which engages a suitable notch in the nut, and extends into a suitable opening (not shown) provided in the face of the flange H.

A collar or washer 24 is provided on the post 29 at a point directly above the nut 22, the upper end of the post being smooth and projecting into a bearing 25 secured to the corner of the main frame, and it will be obvious that the corners of the machine may be raised or lowered by manipulation of the nuts 22 to adjust the threaded posts as required to level the machine.

A housing 26 forms a closure for the machinery and is provided with the usual doors and windows.

21 and 28 respectively, a roof 29 being provided as usual, the center portion forming a penthouse 30 which. is adjustable, so that it can be collapsed when the machine is being transported from one location to another.

The penthouse 30 is provided with a removable end wall 3|, together with hinged side walls 32, which can be swung down when the end wall is removed, so that the roof still forms a covering.

for the opening when the penthouse is collapsed.

Vertically disposed columns or supports 33 are provided near the center of the machine and are formed in two sections, the upper section 34 being secured to the lower section by means of hinges 35, cables 36 being secured to the upper end of each support and are anchored to the end sections of the main roof for assisting in the suspension thereof, the end roof section C being hinged as at 31 and when the machine is set up for operation, this roof is in position, as shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings, and cables 38 lead from the upper ends of the supports 33 and are anchored to eye-bolts 39 provided on the roof structure, adjustable leg supports also assisting to' support the roof when the machine is in operation, but when the machine is being transported, these cables 38 are released and the leg supports 40 removed, so that the roof swings down and forms side walls for this end of the machine, as clearly indicated in broken lines in Fig. '7 of the drawings, and when the machine is made ready for transportation to another location, the upper section 34 of the support 33 is swung down to position, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings,

thus bringing it within proper limits to be moved over the highways.

, The band saw unit D is adjustably mounted on themachine frame, self-aligning bearings 4| being secured to the main frame by means of bolts 42, and pintles 43 are provided adjacent one end of the husk frame 44. Vertically disposed beams 45 are secured to and project from this member 44, and crossheads 46 are slidably mounted on one edge of each beam, each crosshead being provided with a bearing 41 in which a shaft 48 is journaled, and a band wheel 49 is mounted on said shaft.

Similar bearings 58 are secured to the lower face of the section 44 of the husk frame, and a similar shaft 5| is journaled therein, a band wheel 52 being mounted on said shaft and in alignment With the band wheel 49, so that the continuous band saw 53 is trained over said band wheels. A lower saw guide 54 is provided on the frame member 44 and an upper saw guide 55 is secured to the face of one of the I beams, an eye 56 being provided on the saw guide arm, and a flexible cable or rope 51 being anchored thereto, thence leading up and over a sheave 58 provided on the bracket 59, which is in turn mounted on the upper end of the husk support and thence over a sheave 60 which is journaled on the opposite end of the bracket, thence the cable leads downwardly and is adapted to be connected to a counterweight 6| in a. manner to be presently described.

Crosshead supporting rods 62 depend from the bearings 41, the ends being wedge shaped and engaging notches 63 provided in the shaft 64 which is mounted on guides 65 and 66 respectively, a lever 61 being rigidly secured to said cross shaft and a weight 68 is secured to the one end of the lever as shown. The shaft 64 is mounted in knife edge bearings 69 which are formed by projections 10 extending outwardly from the guides 65 and 66, and these guides are slidably adjustable between the flanges of the I-beam members 45 so that one guide can be retarded or advanced with relation to the other or simultaneously, if desired.

The guides 65 and 66 are suitably bored and threaded to receive the threaded rods H and 12, and on which are secured worm gears 13 and thrust collars 14 respectively, these collars resting on the husk base 44 and insure proper meshing of the worm gear assembly.

The saw husk control mechanism is within easy reach of the operator and comprises a hollow sleeve 16 journaled in bearings 11 provided on the I-beams and a worm 16 is mounted on said sleeve, meshing with and driving the threaded shaft H, a similar worm 19 being mounted on the hollow shaft8ll which is mounted in the shaft 16.

A hand wheel BI is mounted on the shaft 16 and is formed with a hub 62 provided with a plurality of openings 83 as shown, a collar 84 being mounted on the shaft directly adjacent the end'of the hub, and is formed with an overhanging arm 85 in which a spring retractive pin 86 is mounted, said pin being adapted to register with and to engage in one of the selected openings 33 for adjustment when desired.

A shaft 81 is mounted in the hollow shaft 60,

a hand wheel 88 is provided on the one end thereof, a sprocket 89 being provided on the opposite end'and a chain 90 is trained over said sprocket leading to and being trained over the fiat grooved sheave 60 which is mounted on the bracket 59, spaced apart lugs 9| being provided on said chain, these lugs engage the counterweight 6| to which the cable 51 is anchored, thus providing means for adjusting the upper saw guide. It will therefore be obvious that this control mechanism can be manipulated to vervided with offset pintles 43 which are journaled in the bearings 4| provided on the frame, so

that it can be tilted, as shown in broken lines .in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and to permit the roof of the penthouse to be collapsed so that it will clear all overhead trams and bridges when the machine is moved from one location to another, bearings 92 are provided on the uprights 45, and a shaft 93 is journaled therein, in-

ternally threaded nuts 94 being pivotally mounted on the shaft 93 and having threaded engagement with the threaded rods 95 which are suitably journaled on the frame of the machine. A bevel gear 96 is provided on each rod, each gear meshing with and being driven by a similar gear 91 which is mounted on a shaft 98 and which is also journaled on the frame, a hand wheel 99 being provided on the end of the shaft, so that the shaft may be manipulated to tilt the saw husk on the pivots as desired.

The main drive shaft I is journaled in suitable bearings on the frame and can be driven by means of a farm tractor, (not shown) or from any other suitable source of power. A pulley llll is provided on this main drive shaft, and a clutch IE2 is provided for disconnecting when desired. The bearings I03 accommodate the main drive shaft, and a pulley I04 is mounted thereon, said pulley being geared to a similar pulley I05 which is provided on the lower band wheel shaft 5| by means of the belt I06, so that the band saw may be driven.

Suitable shafting I03, gears I09, and drums III] are provided for manipulation of the log carriage, and it is not deemed necessary to describe them in detail as they form no part of the present invention.

The machine frame can, of course, be weighted to provide proper stability, and I also wish to direct attention to the fact that the hand wheel 88 is unbalanced by providing a light, flatted section, thus eliminating any tendency for the wheel to creep due to vibration etc.

When the machine arrives at location the ground engaging wheels, previously referred to, are removed and the leveling jacks placed at each corner of the machine, the nuts 22 being then manipulated to properly level it, the penthouse collapsible portion is then raised to proper position, and the hand wheel 99 manipulated to bring the saw to vertical working position, a saw is then placed on the band wheels and the bank control wheel Bl manipulated to vertically adjust the upper band wheel to tension the saw, the hand wheel 88 is then manipulated to adjust the saw guide and then without leaving this position the tilt of the upper band wheel can be adjusted by disengaging the pin 86 from the hub of the wheel BI and manipulating said wheel to actuate the guide 65, the log carriage is then assembled, together with the various other working parts, the column section 34 is then swung to upright position to assist in the suspension of the roof, the side of the wing sections 31 are then raised, the adjustable legs set in position, and the machine is ready for operation.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that I have perfected a very simple, practical, and economical portable converting machine, for converting logs into merchantable lumber.

What I claim is:

1. A portable wood converting machine of the class described and comprising a main frame, a housing and roof for said frame, means for leveling said frame, a saw husk pivotally mounted, ofi center, on said frame, manually operable means for tilting said saw husk, and a hinged vertically adjustable roof section over said husk and adapted to be raised to accommodate the saw husk when said husk is in raised position, and foldable means for securing said roof section in its raised position.

- 2. A portable wood converting machine of the character described and comprising a main frame, a housing and roof forming .a closure for the frame, and including a vertically adjustable penthouse, a saw husk unit pivotally mounted, ofl center, on said frame and including an upper band wheel and a saw guide, manually operable means mounted on the main frame and engaging the saw husk for tilting said husk unit, and a control mechanism for selectively adjusting and tensioning said saw guide and vertically adjusting and tilting said upper band wheel, said penthouse accommodating the saw husk when the husk is in its raised position.

3. A portable wood converting machine of the class described and comprising a main frame, a saw husk unit pivotally mounted, off center, on said frame and including a vertically adjustable band wheel, a saw, a saw guide, and a control mechanism for selectively adjusting said band wheel and tensioning the saw as the machine is operating, said means including a plurality of shafts mounted on a common axis, the outer and intermediate shafts being operatively connected to the vertically adjustable band wheel for vertically adjusting and tilting said band wheel, the inner shaft being operatively connected to the saw guide for tensioning the saw, means for actuating said outer and intermediate shafts as a unit, and releasable means for disconnecting said shafts to permit independent operation thereof,

4. A portable wood converting machine of the class described and comprising a main frame including vertical supports, a saw husk unit pivotally mounted, off center, on said frame, an internally threaded nut pivotally mounted on the husk unit, a threaded shaft mounted in said nut, and manually operable means mounted on said vertical support for actuating said shaft to tilt said unit, and control mechanism on the saw husk unit for tensioning the saw guide and adjusting the upper band wheel on said husk unit, said mechanism including spaced apart threaded shafts, a guide adjustably mounted on each shaft and operatively connected with the upper band wheel, means for actuating each shaft to adjust each guide independently of the other guide, means for locking said adjusting means together for simultaneously adjusting said guides, and a hand wheel operatively connected to the saw guide for adjusting it on said unit.

5. A portable wood converting machine of the class described and comprising a portable frame, a saw husk unit pivotally mounted, off center, on said frame and including a vertically adjustable band wheel, manually operable means for tilting said unit, a saw guide, control mechanism mounted on said saw husk for tilting and vertically adjusting said band wheel and tensioning said saw guide, said means including inner, outer and intermediate shafts mounted on a common axis, spaced apart'threaded shafts, guides adjustably mounted thereon, the outer shaft being operatively connected to one of said threaded shafts, and the intermediate shaft being connected to the other shaft, means for independently actuating said outer and intermediate shafts, and means for locking said shafts together to permit simultaneous operation thereof.

GROVER C. WETI-IERBEE. 

